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The Howling (1980)
Directed by Joe Dante
Staring Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, and Christopher Stone
LA TV reporter Karen White (Wallace) is assisting the police with a plan to capture her stalker, serial killer Eddie Quist. She meets Quist in a porno theater where he tries to show Karen his true self. Before this can fully transpire, Quist is shot by the police in front of Karen. Suffering from amnesia, Karen’s therapist recommends that she and her husband Bill (Stone) stay at his country resort for treatment. This facility is called The Colony and it houses some strange subjects. Everyone there seems to be very connected with one another and there is definitely something wrong. A wolf-like creature bites Bill and he sneaks off from Karen. After doing a little investigating, Karen finds that this colony has a dark secret just under the surface. People are not there to recover; they are there to be with their own kind. Karen is going to find what she was trying to forget and what the resort is trying to hide are one in the same: werewolves do exist.
Werewolf movies do not always have the best record for quality and effectiveness. That just makes this all the better because The Howling is actually quite scary. Both terrifying and silly, it balances horror and humor to great effect. The absurdity and uncomfortable nature of many of the films scenes make for a wide streak of dark humor. You should not be laughing at the sudden werewolf attack in the middle of an exposition scene, but it takes you by surprise and elicits a few chuckles. There are a ton of little references to classic werewolf movies and pop culture littered throughout, making it a rewarding watch for any horror movie buff. Those looking hard enough can find a cameo by Joe Dante’s former employer and Hollywood schlock legend, Roger Corman. The creature makeup and effects are awesome and still hold up. The beasts are frightening and vividly detailed, but also expressive. It makes for some great performances by the actors under the wolf skin. Joe Dante manages to get a decent performance out of nearly everyone involved. The only weak link in the cast is Christopher Stone, who plays Bill a little too indifferent to what is happening. If you are looking for something a little different, The Howling is an excellent choice.
9 out of 10
